Mary Naumenko

Mary Naumenko is the wife of a Russian Orthodox priest and has been involved in parish ministry for thirty-five years. She is the author of five books in the Lives of Saints for Young People series published by Holy Trinity Monastery. Two books of spiritual counsel have been translated by her from Russian into English: Abbot Nikon: Letters to Spiritual Children (Nikodemos Orthodox Publication Society ) and Striving Toward God: Spiritual Advice for Daily Living by Abbess Arsenia (Sebriakova) (Holy Trinity Publications). She has an M.A. in Humanities through The Great Books Honors College at Faulkner University (Montgomery, AL). Her Master’s thesis was on the patristic concept of the nous in the writings of Dostoevsky.

St. John of Kronstadt was one of the great saints of the Russian Orthodox Church in the 19th century. He was a parish priest in the naval city of Kronstadt, working with the poor and orphans of his city, his fame spread through all of Russia. Designed to inspire children from an early age with the ideals of sanctity.

A heart warming and simply written life of one of twentieth century Orthodoxy's greatest saints. Suitable for elementary age and older, it is well illustrated with pen and ink drawings. Illustrated by Gabriela Moustardas.

St. Seraphim of Sarov is one of the most well loved Russian saints. Entering the monastic life from a young age, he was found worthy to witness the glory of Heaven during his service as a clergyman. Designed to inspire children from an early age with the ideals of sanctity.

Abbess Arsenia’s counsels are steeped in Holy Scripture and in the inspiration that she draws from the services of the Orthodox Church. Throughout, she emphasizes the need to humble oneself, discern the will of God, and fulfill it through every moment of our life.

The grace of God is manifested in the wonders of nature that surrounds us. This is apparent both in the beauty of the natural world and in the everyday blessings in our lives. Yet history is filled with instances of supernatural grace, or miracles. Such was the appearance of the Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God found by a hunter in a forest near the Tuscary river. The text that accompanies this coloring book recounts the history of the icon, miracles associated with it -- including the healing of St Seraphim of Sarov, and the hymns associated with its feastday in the Orthodox Christian Church.

The artwork includes lavish borders in an old Russian style that together with the illustrations will be a joy to color. Together with the text they will make an excellent gift or school room resource.